garderobe

How to spot that you are short of something

Short answer: You are missing something when you wash in the middle of the week, or when you put on something worn because the rest is in the laundry. Both are signs that you have too few of one kind, usually underwear or socks.

Do you wash mid-week

If you have to run a wash on Wednesday to have clean underwear for Thursday, you are short of something. Usually it is underwear or socks, because they are changed every day. Count how many clean pairs you have after a normal wash and compare with the days between laundry days. See bamboo underwear for men.

Do you wear worn items

If you reach for the worst pairs because the rest are in the wash, it is time to top up. It happens gradually, so you rarely notice straight away. A pair with slack elastic or thin fabric suddenly becomes a regular part of the week. That is a clear signal that the stack is too small.

The bottom of the drawer

If there are items at the bottom of the drawer that you never wear, they are either the wrong size or worn out. They take up space but do not count when you judge how many you have. Take them out and look at them one by one. What you have not worn in six months can go.

Count what you actually wear

A good check is to count the items you actually put on over two weeks. That number tells you more than what is in the drawer. If you have ten pairs but only wear six, those six decide how often you need to wash. Then you also know how many new ones to buy.

Check once a year

Go through the drawer when the season changes, when you are tidying the wardrobe anyway. Put the worn items aside and write down what is missing. It takes a quarter of an hour and gives a clear picture of what you need for the coming season. See also how to get the wardrobe ready for winter.

Replace them together

If half the stack is worn, it pays to replace the whole stack at once. The new items then wear evenly, and you avoid having old and new pairs that feel different. It also makes it easier to keep track of the next replacement. Read more in how to tell that clothes are worn out.

For women

The same signs apply for women. If you wash bras or briefs mid-week, or wear the worn ones because the rest are in the wash, it is time to top up. Count what you wear over two weeks and buy the number that suits your laundry rhythm. See the matching items in bamboo underwear for women.

Washing

Washing correctly postpones the need for new items. Wash at 30 to 40 degrees, turn garments inside out and let them air dry. Avoid fabric softener and the tumble dryer, which are harder on elastic and fibres than the wash itself. The stack then lasts longer. See the washing guide.

Buy in the right order

Once you know what is missing, start with what you wear every day. Underwear and socks first, then the items used a few times a week. That way the money goes where it makes the biggest difference in daily life, and the rest can wait until you go through the drawer again next season.

Frequently asked questions

What are the signs of having too few items?

Washing in the middle of the week, or wearing the worn pairs because the rest are in the wash. Both mean the stack is too small for your laundry rhythm.

How often should the drawer be checked?

Once a year, ideally when the season changes and you are tidying the wardrobe anyway. It takes little time and gives a clear overview of what is missing.